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PS3 motion control already in devs' hands

E3 2009: SCEA SVP of marketing confirms third-party publishers and developers are already working with the LED-based motion-sensing tech shown during Sony's press event.

LOS ANGELES--When Microsoft unveiled its motion-sensing camera, Project Natal, at its E3 press event on Monday, it made a point of saying that software developer kits for the device were being sent out that day. Later, in an interview with GameSpot, Microsoft Game Studios head Phil Spencer revealed that the device had been shown to two top developers--Epic Games (Gears of War 2) and Bungie Studios (Halo 3: ODST)--who were experimenting with the technology.

Coming sooner than many thought.

When Sony showed off its own motion-sensing system--based on the PlayStation Eye, light-emitting diodes, and wireless controllers with buttons--it appeared to be at an earlier stage of development. Whereas Microsoft's Lionhead Studios had already created a mood-sensing interactive program called Milo, Sony had a more primitive (but still impressive) tech demo where objects were manipulated and foes were slain with virtual weapons.

Now, though, it appears Sony's motion-sensing efforts may be farther along than many thought. Speaking with GameSpot, Sony Computer Entertainment America senior vice president of marketing Peter Dille divulged that the technology--first revealed in a US Patent filing last fall--is already in developers' hands.

"We're a little bit past the research phase," he told GameSpot. "We're having conversations with the third-party community. The dev kits have started to go out to the third parties as well. They're working on the tech. They couldn't be more excited about it."

263 Comments

  • ff_medo_lp

    Posted Jan 8, 2010 3:29 pm PT

    i like this more than natal because i think games will suck without physical controller !!!

  • BalramRules

    Posted Dec 4, 2009 12:49 pm PT

    CLEAR FANBOY jamster533, don't try it, what you're saying is clearly fanboyism!
    The Wii MotionPlus is nothing compared to the precision of Natal, but Sony's Motion Controllers are even more precise, due to optical, digital, signalling, adapter, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth tracking.
    Although Project Natal is more creative some would say, it actually is but the PlayStation Eye has just lost that round as EyePet boosts up their score as that is definitely one of the most creative games around interactiving with the PS Eye on a WHOLE!

  • jamster533

    Posted Aug 19, 2009 5:09 pm PT

    Just to get everything straight, NATAL is just a partial rip off from the wii balance board and the Playstation eye. The PS3 motion control is a rip off of the Wii motion plus, except it has more 3D like depth features, and the Wii remote is a copy of the power glove from the NES and the PS eye, and for anyone calling me a nintendo fanboy I also own an xbox1, psp, and PS3.

  • Blabadon

    Posted Aug 6, 2009 2:30 pm PT

    cant wait to make a littlebigplanet level with this
    it would be so streamlined

  • jaz350z

    Posted Jul 22, 2009 3:58 pm PT

    If they make an oblivion style game with this it will be the sh*t!

  • jaz350z

    Posted Jul 22, 2009 3:53 pm PT

    @eldin4444
    the reason people aren't getting mad about this is because it is not just a gimmicky piece of crap. It is well-developed hardware that will appeal to the hardcore gamer as well as casual gamers.
    Also, there really hasn't been a good game to come out on the Wii that isn't part of a series or a re-make.

    That's the difference

  • modicaida

    Posted Jul 10, 2009 7:53 am PT

    i think this will be great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!PS3 rules and natal is bad and poor

  • jason_86586

    Posted Jun 24, 2009 4:55 am PT

    natal is gonna rape the playstation sex toy

  • eldin4444

    Posted Jun 19, 2009 9:58 am PT

    I dont get it when the wii's motion controll came out first everyone was talking sh*** about it and now sony and microsh** do a motion controll but nobody seem to be mad about it , dude thats fanatism

  • Darkages04

    Posted Jun 16, 2009 11:05 am PT

    If u ask me i think this thing is a stupid idea. might as well rename the ps3 to wii s3. id probably buy it just to throw around for my dog to play catch with and chew when he is hungry. I guess PS3 does come up with some rubbish ideas at times

  • roxomega

    Posted Jun 16, 2009 6:41 am PT

    You all have to face the facts. Microsoft and Sony are Stealing from nintindo (dont flame yet) they saw how well it was doing in the marketplace and they took nintindos idea BEEFED it up and im glad they did. I was way to hyped up on Wii before release now it collects dust cause they failed horribly in my eyes. I believe NATAL is better because it is more than a active controller, but as far as HARD CORE gaming goes Sonys glowing vibrator will take the lead ONLY IF they add more to it (im sure they will) like more than just a trigger.

  • AmericanCaesar

    Posted Jun 11, 2009 3:55 pm PT

    I have the same question about this that I do about Natal...I think this looks awesome, but what does it have that functions like a Nunchuck? The thing that saved the Wii was adding in a second part of the Wiimote which enabled you to do basic things like move your character around, etc. I'm pretty stoked for this coming out, but has Sony mentioned anything/does anyone have any conjectures as to how we're gonna be able to just do the basics, like walking forward? If these remotes have a thumbstick and/or D-pad built in either to one or the other, THAT would be really cool. It seems like a pretty basic idea and one that you should just be able to kinda expect will be in the controller, but I've been surprised at how devs forgot to implement such basic things before...

  • Oxymandias

    Posted Jun 11, 2009 12:21 pm PT

    To be honest I've been following Sony's R&D efforts with a pure webcam control for about 3 years now. My conclusion is that the technology isn't quite there.. Like so many technologies its incredibly elusive. The fact that they have come up with a hybrid webcam and LED wand product which is ready for development means its a done deal. Microsoft's Natal I suspect is where Sony was a couple of years ago.. I'm very excited by this now innovation and am looking forwards to playing with it.

  • gamepunk86

    Posted Jun 10, 2009 11:44 pm PT

    this is good i guess, the earlier the better. but i've said it before in past articles about sony and microsoft's motion control rumors. motion control is the fall of games

  • chupamelpo

    Posted Jun 10, 2009 12:50 am PT

    i love crack

  • hatieshorrer

    Posted Jun 9, 2009 9:38 pm PT

    @Darkages04

    You said it X360 has Natal and some mini-games due to be released with in a year. Wii has MotionPlus bundled with a series of minigames and some Actual full sports games due to be released this year. The Playstation 3 a $399.99 dollar console could have some mini-games to show us by next E3. Ill settle for the motion controls set to be released this year on consoles that cost about $100 less.

  • SQUALL20XX

    Posted Jun 9, 2009 2:57 pm PT

    Good move Sony

  • brendanhunt1

    Posted Jun 9, 2009 1:01 pm PT

    natal is more of a mini game and because its new to gaming it might take awhile for delvopers to master it. since some delevopers already work with the wii they sould be ok with sonys motion control

  • jelly_donut_92

    Posted Jun 9, 2009 12:57 pm PT

    people SHUT UP with your stupid fanboyism!! We'll see how all of this stuff plays out, and if you like Sony or Microsoft better, that's great, you don't have to pound your opinion into everyone elses heads!